Nicky Henderson has an embarrassment of riches in the novice hurdling department, and at Newbury today Zebra Crossing (1.05) can stake his claim to be considered for Cheltenham next month. The selection is not the type to stand a lot of racing, but he has had a good break since his debut win at Kempton and worked well earlier this week.

Caracciola (3.20) is spot on for the Totesport Trophy, in which Henderson has such a fine record. We also anticipate a good run from County Zen in the big race. Some smart previous winners line up in the red-hot Newbury bumper, but Howard Johnson's newcomer Whisky Magic (4.30) could surprise them all. It seems the three-mile Royal & SunAlliance Chase is the probable Cheltenham target for stablemate Tidal Bay after his untidy round of jumping at Doncaster last week.

In other Festival news, we gather David Pipe's Tamarinbleu will go for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The Paul Nicholls team have that race very much lined up for Master Minded (2.10), who is expected to give Voy Por Ustedes plenty to do in today's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

Big Buck's (2.25) has been giving out the right signals in his recent work and is expected to take revenge on Moon Over Miami for an earlier defeat at Warwick today, although the Charlie Mann team are also keen on their smart novice. Air Force One is reported in great shape and goes for the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot next week.

On a cracking card at Exeter tomorrow, the improving Oh Crick (2.00) can set the ball rolling. Group Captain bids for a hat-trick but Henderson's Working Title (2.30) should not be underestimated. Classic Fiddle (4.05) will be fitter this time, and Andy Turnell looks to have found the ideal comeback race for Bible Lord (3.30), who was coughing after his poor run at Kempton.

There could be a shake-up in the market for the Triumph Hurdle after tomorrow's juvenile event at Leopardstown. Temlett (1.15) is said to have thrived since his recent win and he will be fancied to turn round earlier Leopardstown form with Won In The Dark.

Seen and heard

Willie Mullins will not be at full strength in tomorrow's bumper at Leopardstown after three of his entries were mistakenly put in the hunter chase. They include Apt Approach, who is in line for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Stewards' enquiries are held for all manner of reasons, rarely the one that cropped up at the Mid Devon point-to-point meeting last weekend. The connections of Heathfield Flyer, who had been reluctant to race on his previous appearance, were cautioned for rattling a tin at the start to ensure the horse jumped off, as this upset other runners.

London commuters have no shortage of free newspapers to peruse. Now every Friday they can get The Punter, recently launched by the free business daily, City AM, in conjunction with former trainer Charlie Brooks. Meanwhile the London Evening Standard is to axe their racing correspondent Will Hayler who, we understand, will not be replaced.

One for the anoraks: has there ever been a brother and sister holding a trainer's licence at the same time? Brian Storey and Carol Ferguson, who are based in Cumbria, fit the bill now Carol has hers.

There had to be a tale behind the naming of Lord Raspberry, a four-year-old in training with Mick Easterby. The gelding is owned by Lord Daresbury who, when he went from plain old Peter Greenall to His Lordship, kept telling everyone, "it's Daresbury as in Raspberry".

Tony McCoy's assistant Gee Bradburne won't be pleased. At a charity Question Of Sport event this week her brother, journalist Marcus Armytage, and husband, jockey Mark, failed to identify her in the picture round. They both confidently stated the photo was of Chris Evert, the ex-tennis player recently engaged to golfer Greg Norman.